Hostel attracts many overseas visitors

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 29, 20 December 1983, Page 6

Hostel attracts many overseas visitors

Age no bar — despite the word 'youth' in it's title the YHA (Youth Hostel Association) is for young and old alike. "Providing you can climb into a bunk you are eligible to join and become a member of an international network of hostels"said hostel warden Bob Eccles. Bob is keen to let local people know more about the YHA movementand thefacilities it operated. "Local community involvement is a good thing and works both ways," he said. Residents of the Waimarino who join the YHA will ' benefit from one of the cheapest holidays they've ever had either in New Zealand or overseas and the local hostel will benefit from having members living in the area who can participate in

the various projects Bob has in mind. These include an introduction service for visitors from overseas to meet local residents or to see something of the local industries — farming, market gardening, forestry etc. By building up the occupancy rates throughout the year, the Ohakune business community will benefit as hostellers make their purchases in town. "Now that the hectic ski season is over we are moving into the quieter summer phase and looking forward to a steady flow of visitors. Ohakune's Youth Hostel, which opened in 1979, has a total of 32 beds shared between twin rooms and bunk rooms with all the usual mod cons including a large common room and kitchen, hot showers and a washing machine. "There's plenty of room for families but most of our guests are single hostellers or couples who are travelling around seeing something of New Zealand and the world . . . at least during the summer months,"said Bob."Wecater for between 4,500-5,000 visitor nights per year." "In the winter season we have an 85%-95% occupancy rate but most of these are

New Zealanders on a skiing trip." In the summer however the occupancy rate drops to about 20%-30% of whom eighty percent are from overseas, mainly from France, Germany,, Switzerland, Italy, Scandinavia, the U.K. and Australia. "By offering hostellers such low cost accommodation — $5 per day — the YHA is leaving them with more money to spend in other ways," said Bob. Bob is from Lancasl^H and has been a member^^ the YHA for seven years travelling around Europe and Australia. In Greece he was Youth Hostel warden for two years, so knows hostellers needs from both sides. Details of the YHA and it's many facilites both here and overseas are available from the hostel office in Clyde Street.